There's nothing quite like cosying up on the couch in front of the television and enjoying some festive films with the family.

But how much do Christmas movies - that's movies about Christmas rather than Die Hard-style flicks set at the tail-end of December - net at the box office?

Insider decided to take a look at the highest-grossing films about Santa, his elves and other festive characters - in the US.

And here's our yuletide chart, from 10 to No1.

10. Fred Claus (2007)

Featuring Vince Vaughn, this film tells the story of Santa's little brother Fred and his turbulent relationship with his sibling.

When Fred finds himself in jail, older brother Nicholas bails him out on the condition he comes to the North Pole to work off his debt making toys.

Fred though is not exactly cut out for elf-life.

American Box Office Gross: $72million

9 Christmas with The Kranks (2004)

Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis play couple Luther and Nora Krank.

The pair decide to skip Christmas one year as their daughter is away, and take a cruise in the Caribbean instead.

Their festive-obsessed neighbours don't take too kindly to their decision and the Kranks soon find themselves social outcasts because of their lack of festive spirit.

American Box Office Gross: $74 million

8. Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

This film sees Tim Burton bring his own unique style to an animated Christmas tale - unique as it is a Yuletide flick which isn't out of place at Halloween either.

It follows Halloweentown's beloved pumpkin king, Jack Skellington.

He has become bored of frightening people and gets a new lease of life when he accidentally discovers Christmastown and plots to kidnap Santa Claus.

American Box Office Gross: $75million

7. Four Christmases (2008)

Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn - yes, him again - play fun couple Brad and Kate.

They have no plans to marry and simply enjoy the carefree like of dinkies (double income no kids).

But on Christmas morning, plans fall through for a trip to Fiji and they are forced to visit each of their four divorced parents' homes.

Throughout the day Kate questions whether their life really is as good as they think it is.

American Box Office Gross: $120 million

6. A Christmas Carol (2009)

There have been plenty big screen versions of Dickens' classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and his night reckoning with the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future.

This box office-busting one is not the Muppets' version but another animated retelling.

Scrooge is awakened on Christmas Eve by spirits who reveal to him his own miserable existence, what opportunities he wasted in his youth, his current cruelties, and the dire fate that awaits him if he does not change his ways.

American Box Office Gross: $138million

5. The Santa Clause (1994)

Tim Allen plays Scott Calvin, a divorced dad who has custody of his son on Christmas Eve.

His son, Charlie, isn't too thrilled to be spending Christmas with his estranged Father.

But when Scott accidentally kills a man in a Santa suit, the two of them are magically transported to the North Pole, where he is told he must take Santa's place.

He begins to gain weight and grows a long white beard as things take a turn.

This film is part of a trilogy, with the subsequent sequels equally as successful.

American Box Office Gross: $145million

4. Elf (2003)

A Christmas comedy classic where Will Ferrell hit the box office big time starring as Buddy the Elf.

Buddy was born in an orphanage but was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised as an elf.

After feeling like he doesn't fit in, Santa allows him to go to New York to find his birth father, Walter Hobbs.

Businessman Walter struggles to form a relationship with christmas-obsessed Buddy as chaos ensues.

American Box Office Gross: $173 million

3. The Polar Express (2004)

Another animated festive favourite, this is a story of a young boy who, on Christmas Eve, boards a magical train headed for the North Pole.

Tom Hanks stars in the adventure which is based on the children's book by Chris Van Allsburg.

The doubting boy embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that for those who believe, the wonder of life never fades.

American Box Office Gross: $186 million

2. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

The Grinch is a live-action adaptation of the children's tale by Dr. Seuss.

Such was the work involved Jim Carrey had to sit through 12 hours of make-up just to get him to look like the Grinch.

Luckily it was all worth it as Carrey was a huge success as the reclusive green monster who decides to ruin Christmas for the happy residents of Whoville.

Hapless dog, Max, joins him as they come down from his hill-top home to sneak into town to swipe everything holiday-related from the Whos.

His plans hit a bump when he encounters endearing youngser Cindy Lou Who.

American Box Office Gross: $260 million

1. Home Alone (1990)

Top of the bunch is the eternally popular film which catapulted child star Macaulay Culkin into the spotlight.

Shot with just an $18million dollar production budget, this classic is a staple film for holiday viewing.

Culkin plays Kevin McCallister a dippy eight-year-old who awakens to find his family home deserted as they left for Paris without him.

Kevin, makes the most of being home alone but the excitement sours when he realises two con men (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) are planning to rob the house.

Kevin has to use his wits to protect the family home with plenty of slapstick tricks to outwit the hapless crooks Pesci and Stern.